Controversial nuclear power plant hires Giuliani as face of new advertising blitz

The operator of the ageing Indian Point nuclear power plant has hired Rudy Giuliani as the face of a new advertising campaign.

The former mayor will front adverts for the plant just outside New York City running from next week on cable television and in newspapers, according to a spokesman for Entergy.

The operator is seeking to renew its licences for its two reactors on the Hudson River in Buchanan, New York, which together generate more than 30 percent of the state's power.

Contentious job: Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is to carry out promotional work for the nuclear operator

The campaign is the latest effort by the company to repair its image during an uncertain political climate.

Public fears about Indian Point, which sits on an earthquake fault, have been stoked by the meltdown at the Fukoshima reactor in Japan in March.

Critics have also pointed out the danger of nuclear power in such close proximity to a major city into sharp focus, especially given New York's history of terrorism attacks.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has called for the plant to be shut down due to safety concerns and has promised to lobby regulators to deny the licence extensions.

The new campaign puts the tough talking Republican Giuliani head to head with Democrat Cuomo.

The appointment of Giuliani as the new figurehead for the plant is the clearest sign yet that the naysayers pose a credible threat to the plant's future.

Twin reactors: Fears about the safety of the Indian Point plant have been heightened by the meltdown of the Fukoshima reactor in March in Japan

The original 40-year licences for Indian Point’s reactors expire in 2013 and 2015 but the company is hoping to renew them for a further 20 years.

Giuliani has previously done promotional work for Indian Point. After 9/11 the company hired the former mayors consultancy firm Giuliani Partners as consultants to advise on emergency planning and security.

In 2006 the company again called on Mr. Giuliani’s support when it announced it would seek to extend the licences. He called Indian Point 'as safe as a facility can be.'